The achievements of the company’s Sustainable Development Programmes in its host communities have continued to be noticed in the Niger Delta as the Akwa Ibom State Government seized the opportunity of a courtesy visit led by the Chief Executive, Mr. Jacques Marraud des Grottes to describe EPNL as “the corporate citizen we treasure”. The courtesy call on Friday, 8-Feb-2008 was occasioned by the company’s choice of Akwa Ibom State as the venue of its 2008 Corporate Meeting held from Thursday, 7th February to Saturday, 9th February 2008.
Mr. Marraud des Grottes was accompanied on the visit by the General Manager, Sustainable Development, Mr. Vincent Nnadi; Government Relations Manager, Mrs. Sonye Allanah and Head, Government Relations, Mrs. Josephine Ikem-Akwali.
Leading a team of Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to receive the delegation was the Deputy Governor, Engineer Patrick Ekpotu, who stood in for Governor Godswill Akpabio. His Excellency was out of the state at the time.
In a speech, Mr. Marraud des Grottes observed that participants who came from abroad were very impressed by what they saw in the state and it gave a positive image to the Niger Delta. “It is good to have the opportunity to show nice settings and to show people from abroad that they are welcome when they come to the Niger Delta”, he noted.
Responding, Mr. Ekpotu said the large turn out of cabinet members was an indication of their esteem for the company and its remarkable strides in her host communities, saying “your company truly believes in the ethics of what you are doing”. He urged other companies to follow the lead of EPNL as a way of promoting stability in the Niger Delta.
Recounting the accomplishments of the company, especially the uninterrupted power supply provided by the company in Egi, the Deputy Governor solicited for same gestures and the establishment of a liaison office in the state, maintaining that this should be the case since the company operates in Akwa Ibom territorial waters.
“We would love to see a situation where Elf contributes to the development of Akwa Ibom through taxes” he added. He also said the company should resolve to hold subsequent editions of the corporate meeting in Akwa Ibom State.
The visit to Government House Uyo is a demonstration of the company’s respect for partners and authorities.
